Journal

GET THE LOOK. HOLIDAY TABLE. A CURATED CHRISTMAS BY KRC.

With Christmas just around the corner I wanted to take this opportunity to revisit a topic I spoke about on the news last year, stylish Christmas tables that won't break the bank and won't add to the additional waste of the holidays!

So grab a cup of tea (or wine, whatever tickles your fancy) and read through our tips to creating your perfect table that will impress your guests and make them feel special.

WATCH KYLA IN ACTION ON THE NEWS.

Welcoming friends & family to your home this holiday season? Let me help you style a beautiful table to set the scene for the laughter, stories and clinking of glasses.

These tips are all about reducing the waste contributed by one use items and making your friends & family feel welcome and special while in your home.

Let's get started.

Hint: Cheat Sheet download available at end of this blog. All this info condensed for quick reference when you are treasure hunting for your table!

1. KEEP IT SIMPLE

My number one tip for a stylish holiday table is don't go overboard. I see you with that reindeer plate in your hand, put it down. Instead put Grandma's China to use, opt for a white plate or if your everyday plates don't make you want to hide in shame, use those!

I love these white plates with a subtle red line around the exterior. I am also obsessed with these beauty plates from Crate & Barrel. They are an amazing shape and casual enough to be used every day. So perhaps if your daily plates are worse for ware this is a good opportunity to kill two birds with one stone?

Add a tasteful amount of holiday cheer to your table by sticking to one to two "themed"items.

The holidays contribute to a whole lot of waste so friends let's try to help our lovely planet and do our part to cut down.

Start with looking around your house to see what you already have. For me, it is a brass collection. These lovelies were purchased from a gal on a Facebook group who curated them for her wedding from second-hand stores. Recently I sold the majority of my collection so their story continues.

Make your guests feel welcome by putting their name at the table. If you have taken the time to write someones name out and place them thoughtfully at your table who wouldn't feel like you are happy to see them?

You don't have to go overboard with these cards, heck I've been making these things since I was a kid. So put your crafting skills to use or better yet put your kids skills to use! Getting them involved will make these cards even more special.

I had a hunt around the house for bits to use. I opted for these craft paper tags in combination with some cute gift tags and finished them off with raffia & sprigs of bay leaves. Try these free printable gift tags from our friends over at Visual Heart.

These days many of us are in tune with what we are putting our bodies and more than likely you will have some folks at your table with different dietary requests. So instead of doing the tour of the food with Amy your vegan cousin or Sam your lactose intolerant brother write out what the dish is on a buffet card. If you made mash potatoes without dairy so Amy & Sam can enjoy, make sure you note it! They will appreciate not having to be that person bugging the host to ask what they can eat. Simple.

I made this simple for myself by just repeating the materials I used for my guests place cards and attached them to a vintage bottles I had in my own collection at home. Try these brown paper tags from Amazon!

Use small picture frames, lean against the potted succulents or simply lay in front of each dish.

6. UNSCENTED CANDLES.

I can't think of anything more special than a candlelit dinner with loved ones. The lights are low, the candles are blazing, the Christmas tunes are playing and the wine & conversation are flowing.

That cozy, intimate feeling that is created by low light & the element of fire, sparks conversation and encourages connection.

As the title describes, use unscented candles for the dinner table. Don't get me wrong, I love a good scented candle, but many people are sensitive to scent. Besides why would you want to mute the smells of the meal you have prepared & the amazing natural scents of your real botanicals?

Unscented, plain white, candles in different heights can sometimes be hard to find.. well according to my Mom & Stepdad who were sent on a wild goose chase for my Thanksgiving table. HA!

Opt for essential oils in a diffuser or natural candles with essentials oils in the living room or bathroom. Try Saje’s “Good Cheer” diffuser set. Yum!

Whether your Christmas dinner will be intimate or this is the year your large family will be reunited, my hope is that these tips will help set the scene for a Christmas to remember.